IST Living Learning Community
Snapshot Is the IST LLC right for you?
Scan the code to learn about finding your home away from home.
A university like Penn State can feel overwhelming at times, but there is a lot you can do to make a big campus feel smaller. One way is to join the College of Information Sciences and Technology’s Living Learning Community (IST LLC). Located in Thompson Hall in the West Housing Area—just across the street from the Westgate Building—the IST LLC offers designated campus housing to IST students so they can live and learn with classmates who have similar interests. The College of IST’s LLC strives to create a unique living environment that fosters social and academic interaction between students. It aims to enhance the awareness of information technology by bringing residents of common interests together and advocating for a greater appreciation for the future of technology. Through social, academic, and professional development activities, students can create a meaningful and impactful on-campus experience.
70
Students Living in the LLC
25
Upper Division Students Living in the LLC
3
Minute Walk to the Westgate Building
2005
IST LLC Founded
Secure Your Spot in the LLC First-year students accepted to University Park are guaranteed an on-campus housing space and required to live on campus as a condition of the admission offer. After you accept your offer of admission, you can indicate your housing preferences, including whether you want to live in the IST Living Learning Community. Follow these two steps to indicate your preference for the IST LLC: 1. Accept your offer!
Log in to your MyPennState account and accept your University admission offer and the Housing and Food Service (HFS) Contract by May 1. Payment is required to complete the acceptance process.
2. Update Your Housing Preference
Log in to the eLiving system to update your selections on the HFS Contract by indicating “West Halls” as your housing area preference and then “LLC: IST House.” You must submit your preferences by May 15.
Prospective IST Students: futurestudents@ist.psu.edu | Current Penn State Students: advising@ist.psu.edu | Toll-free: 866-225-8707
The IST Living Learning Community is a great way to connect with other students, meet new people, and build a unique campus experience. As a member of the IST LLC, you can attend special events, such as floor dinners, movie nights, themed holiday parties, and academic workshops, as well as join the community’s intramural sports teams and other special programs. Here’s what you can look forward to in the IST LLC:
Living in a Convenient Location It’s just a three-minute walk from Thompson Hall to the Westgate Building, the home of the College of Information Sciences and Technology where most of your IST courses will be located.
Emily Bogle Class of 2026
“I love the LLC’s smaller, close-knit community within Penn State. Through activities like trips and social events, and even just walking the same direction to class, it’s a shared and supportive experience.”
Making New Friends The IST LLC makes it easier to connect with other students and find friends with similar interests. You’ll have classes together, share experiences, and understand the challenges and opportunities that come with adjusting to life at Penn State.
Having Guaranteed Housing Once you are a member of the IST LLC, you are guaranteed housing in Thompson Hall as an upper division student as long as you remain an active member of the LLC. This differs from the experience of other students living on campus who have to participate in a housing process to secure on-campus housing after their first year.
Exploring Leadership Opportunities As a student-run organization, the IST LLC provides opportunities for students at all levels to step into meaningful leadership roles. This experience can help you develop important interpersonal skills, and it looks great on a resume!
Building Your Network Connect with and learn from upper division students who live in the IST LLC. These students are excellent resources to help you establish your Penn State and IST communities, and you can learn from their academic and professional experiences.
Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. U.Ed. IST 24-15.
Asa Reynolds Class of 2026
“Where you live has so much influence on your campus life. Living in the LLC is so convenient, and having guaranteed housing is great. The relationships I’ve developed will last through and beyond my time at Penn State.”
@ISTatPennState